Material Girl (upcycled slipcovers)

Give joie de vivre to consoles or tables with an upcycled slipcover, or add a bit of humour to mundane tablecloths or placemats.

Think of your entranceway as the express lane in your house. A high-traffic area often relegated to collecting mail, keys, cell phones and too often, clutter. Incorporating a console will add form, function and a parking stall for all your paraphernalia. Top with a tray for keys or a decorative bowl to collect change, or add a decorative statement with a vase of fresh-cut flowers or objet d’art. If purchasing a new piece of furniture isn’t in your budget, repurpose a set of columns or table legs topped with a piece of plywood and finish with a classic slipcover to create a grand entrance.

DIWiseMake your own textile paint by combining one part acrylic paint to one part textile medium. Use natural fibres and pre-washed fabric to remove sizing.DIY$15–25 (SRP $250–375)Time2–5 hours

1. You need two pieces of fabric to make this slipcover: one to cover sides of console and one to cover top.

2. For first piece, measure height of console and perimeter of console’s top surface. Cut fabric to be 1″ wider than measured height and 25″ longer than perimeter. Fold fabric in half width-wise to find midpoint. Temporarily attach fabric around edges of console so that midpoint is at centre of console’s front side. Mark console’s front corners on fabric. To create box pleats, mark and measure in 3″ increments, as shown. Pin in place and iron.

3. Measure table top and cut top fabric large enough to cover table top plus 1″ on all sides.

4. Enlarge stencil pattern to desired size and transfer design to paper. Cut out design, and trace in sections onto matte side of freezer paper. You need approximately seven stencils to complete design. Cut with knife or scissors to create stencil. Position stencil on fabric, shiny side down, and iron stencil on high setting.

5. If using craft paint and medium, mix according to manufacturer’s instructions. Apply textile paint very sparingly to stencil by dabbing lightly with stencil brush. Remove excess paint from brush by blotting on paper towel. Do not overload brush or paint will bleed under stencil. Play with various levels of opacity for inner detailed sections to create depth. Dry one hour. Remove stencil and repeat process with remaining stencils until three sides of console are complete. If back of console will be viewed, finish all four sides. Set paint according to supplier’s instructions.

6. With right sides of fabric together, sew back seam of painted fabric and press seam open. Pin top in place and cut corners as shown for smooth finish. Serge or zig-zag seams if desired. Launder slipcover as directed on textile paint instructions.

Placemats

1. Enlarge pattern to desired size and transfer design to paper. Cut out design and trace onto matte side of freezer paper. Cut with knife or scissors to create stencil. Position stencil on fabric, shiny side down, and iron stencil on high setting.

2. If using craft paint and medium, mix according to manufacturer’s instructions. Apply textile paint very sparingly to stencil by dabbing lightly with stencil brush. Remo excess paint from brush by blotting on paper towel. Do not overload brush or paint will bleed under stencil. Dry one hour. Remove stencil and repeat process with remaining placemats. Set paint according to supplier’s instructions. Launder as directed on textile paint instructions.